India Tour of New Zealand 2014

On November 4th, New Zealand Cricket had announced an abridged itinerary for its home series against India as the visitors wanted to keep the tour very brief. As per the NZC announcement, India would play two Tests and five one-dayers against the Black Caps during January 19 and February 18 2014. This would be the first tour, since 2009, by the world number two Test country. As per the original the ICC's Future Tours Program, the tour was supposed to consist of three Tests, five one-dayers and one T20 to be played in February and March 2014. However, India was seemingly keen to cut short the visit so as to be able to partake in the Asia Cup, which starts in late February 2014.

India will start off the New Zealand tour with an ODI in Napier, in January 2014. Auckland and Wellington will organize the two Tests – one each- late in February 2014 and have also been set to host one ODI each. Hamilton, which had to forego on the Tests, has been awarded two ODIs. To conclude, India would not be able to play any games in New Zealand's South Island.

NZC chief executive David White stated that the four ODI venues, with permanent lighting arrangements in the country, only were considered, in view of the international and domestic broadcasters' desire for day-night matches, as well as to oblige the Indian fans in New Zealand.

"We felt that with the Tests in Wellington and Auckland, that Hamilton was the best spot for a second one-dayer with a large Indian population on their doorstep," White said. Auckland's Eden Park, with its bigger capacity, also edged out Hamilton's Seddon Park to stage the first Test from February 6-10, while the second will be played at the country's premier Test venue, the Basin Reserve in Wellington from February 14-18 2014.

The Central Districts chief executive, Hugh Henderson, was elated to play the host for the opening match in Napier. "The Indian team is a huge draw card throughout the world so the opportunity to host them on a Sunday in January will be fantastic for the region."

David White, NZC chief executive, disclosed that the negotiations with the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) as regards the tour "have taken longer than we hoped". Also, NZC's chief executive David White stated that the India tour symbolized a prospective money-spinner for New Zealand cricket. India has since, two years, been dethroned from No.1 Test country status, is on the right track

He did not, however, address the cut short schedule in the brief statement published on last Monday, indicating only: "It's brilliant that the Black Caps will be playing five ODIs against the world's top one-day side given the proximity of Cricket World Cup in 2015." However, it is not known whether NZC will be compensated by the BCCI for potential revenue loss due to removal of one Test and one T20 from the tour.

Date

Match Details

Venue

GMT

IST

Ground

City

Jan 19 - Sun

New Zealand v India, 1st ODI

01:00

06:30

McLean Park D/N

Napier

Jan 22 - Wed

New Zealand v India, 2nd ODI

01:00

06:30

Seddon Park D/N

Hamilton

Jan 25 - Sat

New Zealand v India, 3rd ODI

01:00

06:30

Eden Park D/N

Auckland

Jan 28 - Tue

New Zealand v India, 4th ODI

01:00

06:30

Seddon Park D/N

Hamilton

Jan 31 - Fri

New Zealand v India, 5th ODI

01:00

06:30

Basin Reserve D/N

Wellington

Feb 06 Thu - Feb 10 Mon

New Zealand v India, 1st Test

22:00
Feb 5

03:30
(Feb 6)

Eden Park

Auckland

Feb 14 Fri - Feb 18 Tue

New Zealand v India, 2nd Test

22:00
Feb 13

03:30
(Feb 14)

Basin Reserve

Wellington

India will tour New Zealand for a month starting from January 19 2014 and ending on February 18 2014 for five ODIs and two Tests. The series starts with the first one due to be played on January 19 2014 and ends with the second Test on February 18 2014. A New Zealand Cricket's announcement was released a day after the BCCI's working committee accorded the approval for the tour.

According to the ICC Future Tours Program, the New Zealand tour was, originally, scheduled to begin in early February, however, it will begin about two to three weeks in advance, encroaching into the time slot meant for the South Africa tour. Actually, as per the schedule declared by Cricket South Africa in July, which was objected to by the BCCI, the third and final Test in Johannesburg was to end on January 19 2014. On this day, India will now be away by thousands of miles, commencing their New Zealand tour.

It was also argued by David White, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive that he was not aware about the itinerary of India's tour of South Africa but added that NZC had finalized the dates only after negotiations with the BCCI. White did not want to venture a guess on why the BCCI's release on Sunday had not specified the dates but confirmed both boards had worked out together on the final program. "Those dates have been signed off with the BCCI. We had been in discussions just before the (BCCI) working committee meeting and worked through the dates and that was ratified at the meeting," White told ESPNcricinfo.

India last toured New Zealand from February to April 2009 for a longer outing comprising of two T20s followed by five ODIs and ending with three Tests. New Zealand won both T20s, while India was victorious in the ODIs (3-1) and the Tests (1-0).